Helene: Audit finds rhinoceros-shaped stress balls funded by recovery money

(The Center Square) – Three community colleges in North Carolina used a portion of $1.25 million for Hurricane Helene mental health funds for birdwatching, succulents and rhinoceros-shaped stress balls.

Blue Ridge Community College, Gaston College nor Wilkes Community College provided the Office of State Auditor with documents explaining how the expenditures qualified to be charged to hurricane-related expanded mental health support funds.

In addition, Wilkes Community College used funds for pizza, gift cards and event materials at a Sobriety Bowl on its Alleghany Campus on Jan. 28 and 30, 2025.

First-term Republican state Auditor Dave Boliek’s report said disaster preparedness and response have been monitored in the storm’s aftermath. Compliance was checked against the North Carolina Community Colleges Accounting Procedures Manual and Reference Guide, and the North Carolina Statewide Accounting Policy.

“Financial resources tend to become entangled in a web of spendi...